Coronary artery disease is the process in which fatty plaque builds up inside the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart, known as the coronary arteries. These blood vessels supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart. When plaque deposition within the arterial wall becomes significant, blood flow is reduced which leads to chest discomfort (angina), shortness of breath, myocardial infarction (heart attack), and is one of the leading causes of heart failure.
Yes — Coronary artery disease is the number one killer in the United States.
Absolutely. . Early treatment reduces symptoms, prevents heart damage, and improves survival.
CAD develops results from multiple issues:
Some risks a modifiable and can be treated:
Other risks are fixed:
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These symptoms can be life threatening, and should be evaluated in an Emergence Room immediately.
There are multiple modalities that allow physicians to diagnose this condition, they include:
When detected early, CAD can be effectively treated with medication and lifestyle changes.
However, if coronary plaque progresses to the point that it restricts blood flow to the heart muscle, more invasive options are needed. These options include
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Dr. Siddiqui is the Chief Medical Officer at TeleMed2U responsible for clinical and technical program development as well as maintaining a thriving telemedicine practice in infectious diseases which includes specialized care of Hepatitis and HIV.
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